Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention

Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment and Retention Discussion​

Player	2026​	2027​	2028​	2029​	2030​
Mitchell Barnett	✔​	✔​
Rocco Berry	✔​
Tanah Boyd	✔​
Kurt Capewell	✔​
Erin Clark	✔​	✔​
Wayde Egan	✔​	✔​
Kayliss Fatialofa	✔​	✔​
James Fisher-Harris	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jackson Ford	✔​	✔​
Morgan Gannon	✔​	✔​	✔​
Leka Halasima	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Chanel Harris-Tavita	✔​
Sam Healey	✔​	✔​
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	✔​	✔​
Alofiana Khan-Pereira	✔​	✔​	✔​
Jacob Laban	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
Ali Leiataua	✔​	✔​
Jye Linnane	✔​	✔​	✔​
Freddy Lussick	✔​
Te Maire Martin	✔​
Haizyn Mellars	✔​	✔​	✔​
Luke Metcalf	✔​	✔​	✔​
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	✔​	✔​
Marata Niukore	✔​
Adam Pompey	✔​	✔​
Tanner Stowers-Smith	✔​	✔​	✔​
Taine Tuaupiki	✔​
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck	✔​
Demitric Vaimauga	✔​	✔​	✔​
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	✔​	✔​
Jett Cleary	S​	U​
Sio Kali	U​
Braelan Marsh	U​	U​	U​
Motu Pasikala	U​	U​

✔ = Signed to Top 30, C = Club option, M = Mutual Option, P = Player option, S = Signed to supplementary list, U = Unclear

2026 Top 30: 30/30
2026 Supplementary: 1/6

2027 Top 30: 21/30
2027 Supplementary: 0/6

2027 Gains: Nil
2027 Losses: Nil

Off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2027: Rocco Berry, Tanah Boyd, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Will be off contract and free to sign elsewhere for 2028 from November 1st, 2026: Mitchell Barnett, Erin Clark, Jett Cleary, Wayde Egan, Kayliss Fatialofa, Jackson Ford, Sam Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Ali Leiataua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Motu Pasikala, Adam Pompey, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

 

[Noitall]

‘He wants out’: Leaked Ponga picture masks ugly Knights truth as exit fears emerge

‘He wants out’: Leaked Ponga picture masks ugly Knights truth as exit fears emerge

www.foxsports.com.au

Nothing really new but interesting the journalist almost guarantees that he wants to leave the knights. Really can’t see him giving union a shake to become an All Black being 28 by next March and according to this, not wanting to play super rugby

 

[Fizurg]

Does anyone else still feel like the Warriors should have decent war chest? I still don't feel like the the Tohu, Johnson and Walker money have been spent and from all reports we saved money in the AFB to JFH swap. i know I'm probably kidding myself but it wouldn't be that outrageous to have money lying around for a genuine marque player.

 

[Blain]

Ponga has become arrogant. The way he has been playing and acting off the pitch, he needs to look in the mirror. He was shit this season. The toilet saga he didn't take ownership for, his weird dad contract signing, his attitude in the media and press conferences.. He's been put on a pedestal at Newcastle and he's too comfortable. He looked checked out, and he's on the biggest contract in the NRL. I think he needs a change, and doesn't look like a natural leader of a team. He's clearly playing for the money ATM, otherwise he would have moved on from the Knights already. But no one who is a half decent team will match his contract, so he's still there.

R360 incoming IMO.

 

[Noitall]

This could work.

But it may be that he is someone who needs to hit rock bottom before he gets it - or as he says take a complete break.

He seems to sense that walking into another NRL gig might not be the best thing for him personally.

This situation is VERY reminiscent of when we signed Foran who was having mental health problems. The Warriors signed Kieran with his personal well being at the fore front because Jim Doyle was Kierans friend.

Foran’s issues were family ones whereas in what NAS reportedly says is he feels like he’s let teammates down missing the last two grand finals and mentions things like that weighing him down, I’m not sure that he wasn’t maligned by some at the storm too? He mentioned in talking about Ryles and the eels that he’s a mate, but not someone you want to make angry either. That gives me the impression that he’s spent a lot of time playing under a Bellamy who seems like a very angry character? Webster gives me the impression that he backs you until you disappoint him? He managed to get AFB performing after having to drop your marquee player in 2024. I really think you have to back the club with Stacey Jones just having him in Kiwis camp to gauge the attitude and I can’t recall a player like Kane Evans or Matt Lodge that has come here under this current administration, everyone has progressed. Dylan Walker was one viewed with attitude issues but revived his career with us. When he talks about wanting something to reinvigorate his interest in the game, being a proud Kiwi I can’t think of anything more than wanting to deliver the country their maiden premiership could be more of an incentive

 

[Canonball]

Ponga has become arrogant. The way he has been playing and acting off the pitch, he needs to look in the mirror. He was shit this season. The toilet saga he didn't take ownership for, his weird dad contract signing, his attitude in the media and press conferences.. He's been put on a pedestal at Newcastle and he's too comfortable. He looked checked out, and he's on the biggest contract in the NRL. I think he needs a change, and doesn't look like a natural leader of a team. He's clearly playing for the money ATM, otherwise he would have moved on from the Knights already. But no one who is a half decent team will match his contract, so he's still there.

R360 incoming IMO.

Idk - i'd say that's more to do with the knights situation which was dire, and while he might have a nice lifestyle there and be on great coin he's a competitor and will want on field results - if he becomes available he's 100% the right pick for our team atm too - would turn us immediately into a top 2 squad

 

[Noitall]

Ponga has become arrogant. The way he has been playing and acting off the pitch, he needs to look in the mirror. He was shit this season. The toilet saga he didn't take ownership for, his weird dad contract signing, his attitude in the media and press conferences.. He's been put on a pedestal at Newcastle and he's too comfortable. He looked checked out, and he's on the biggest contract in the NRL. I think he needs a change, and doesn't look like a natural leader of a team. He's clearly playing for the money ATM, otherwise he would have moved on from the Knights already. But no one who is a half decent team will match his contract, so he's still there.

R360 incoming IMO.

I agree with everything you say but we’ve seen with SJ and RTS over the years that a team can be too reliant on a player. There’s a view that they need to earn the money, but a one man attack is too predictable

 

[Noitall]

Idk - i'd say that's more to do with the knights situation which was dire, and while he might have a nice lifestyle there and be on great coin he's a competitor and will want on field results - if he becomes available he's 100% the right pick for our team atm too - would turn us immediately into a top 2 squad

Talks about wanting a premiership and I think that’s going to be the driver. That puts us in contention in my view. Roosters has always been mentioned as a destination? They’d need Tedesco to retire because he’s unlikely to play anywhere but fullback. The sharks have been mentioned in the past few months and makes sense. I think it could be anywhere where he gets the best of both worlds, the money and the genuine title threat? I can’t look past his recent references to feeling a connection to NZ in recent times though

 

[Fizurg]

Ponga is in an interesting situation where he already has a massive contract to fall back on. He doesn't need to use the Warriors as leverage for more money since he cant and wont get more money. I think being in NZ and out of the Australian spot light a bit could have real appeal for players struggling in their current teams. Especially with the team losing the reputation of career suicide.

 

[Noitall]

Ponga is in an interesting situation where he already has a massive contract to fall back on. He doesn't need to use the Warriors as leverage for more money since he cant and wont get more money. I think being in NZ and out of the Australian spot light a bit could have real appeal for players struggling in their current teams. Especially with the team losing the reputation of career suicide.

I’ve always thought too that the best advertisement for the club was the 2023 preliminary final where we dusted the knights and the crowd was in full voice singing the team song. I wouldn’t be surprised if that right there is what sold it to him

 

[Blain]

I agree with everything you say but we’ve seen with SJ and RTS over the years that a team can be too reliant on a player. There’s a view that they need to earn the money, but a one man attack is too predictable

Before they got smashed with injuries, there was plenty of strike throughout that team. Sharpe at 6, Best and Gagai in the centres, Marzhew out wide. KPP and Lucas in the second row.. Plenty of pieces there to a good team. Probably why O'Brien got the arse.

Ponga was playing like he didn't want to be there all season.

I would take Ponga if he was an option for the Warriors at a reasonable contract (he won't be IMO), but I wouldn't blow up the squad to pay his contract though. It's unsustainable, especially for a player how has had injury issues, head knock issues, and off field issues.

 

[Noitall]

Before they got smashed with injuries, there was plenty of strike throughout that team. Sharpe at 6, Best and Gagai in the centres, Marzhew out wide. KPP and Lucas in the second row.. Plenty of pieces there to a good team. Probably why O'Brien got the arse.

Ponga was playing like he didn't want to be there all season.

I would take Ponga if he was an option for the Warriors at a reasonable contract (he won't be IMO), but I wouldn't blow up the squad to pay his contract though. It's unsustainable, especially for a player how has had injury issues, head knock issues, and off field issues.

I might be alone but with the addition of Ponga, NAS and AKP, I think we’re are a genuine title threat. AKP and Ponga goes a long way towards speed and attack and NAS goes a long way towards us competing against the best packs in the comp. That mixed with leadership, experience and youth and I like the look of that squad

 

[Makasene]

Does anyone else still feel like the Warriors should have decent war chest? I still don't feel like the the Tohu, Johnson and Walker money have been spent and from all reports we saved money in the AFB to JFH swap. i know I'm probably kidding myself but it wouldn't be that outrageous to have money lying around for a genuine marque player.

No I don't think it really works that way. There is no warchest.

We have made a number of extensions in this time (Demi, Leka, Ali, EIT, Stowers). Some would include an upgrade on remaining year of contract.

Tohu, SJ & Walker were not contracted past 2025. Difference in JFH & AFB would be miniscule in salary cap terms.

We've purchased depth in Gannon, AKP, Mellars.

 

[Makasene]

Ponga is in an interesting situation where he already has a massive contract to fall back on. He doesn't need to use the Warriors as leverage for more money since he cant and wont get more money. I think being in NZ and out of the Australian spot light a bit could have real appeal for players struggling in their current teams. Especially with the team losing the reputation of career suicide.

There is really only 2 Wahs selling points:

1. Win the first prem.

2. Play under Webster.

Anyone wanting the bag is probably not going to get it from being recruited, it will be given internally.

If Ponga (and it's a major if) was ever going to end up here, it will be for one of those 2 things.

 

[Fizurg]

No I don't think it really works that way. There is no warchest.

We have made a number of extensions in this time (Demi, Leka, Ali, EIT, Stowers). Some would include an upgrade on remaining year of contract.

Tohu, SJ & Walker were not contracted past 2025. Difference in JFH & AFB would be miniscule in salary cap terms.

We've purchased depth in Gannon, AKP, Mellars.

Extensions don't effect the salary cap, upgrades do. Tohu, SJ and Walker were likely tying up $2.5m of cap together. I just dont see the upgraded players getting paid an extra $2.5m combined. We have added players like Clark but he was an out of favour bench player at the Titans who actively wanted to come back to NZ. Id be surprised if he was on spectaular money. I guess to put in perspective we lost three (arguably) marque players and didnt sign any new ones in 2025. There surely has to be money left over.
Also i understand you can never believe the salary figures used in the media but going by them we gained around $150k from the AFB to JFH swap, which is less than 2% of the cap but still a very enticing amount to use when trying to attract/keep a new player.

 

[Noitall]

Extensions don't effect the salary cap, upgrades do. Tohu, SJ and Walker were likely tying in $2.5m of cap together. I just dont see the upgraded players getting paid an extra $2.5m combined. We have added players like Clark but he was an out of favour bench player at the Titans who actively wanted to come back to NZ. Id be surprised if he was on spectaular money. I guess to put in perspective we lost three (arguably) marque players and didnt sign any new ones in 2025. There surely has to be money left over.
Also i understand you can never believe the salary figures used in the media but going by them we gained around $150k from the AFB to JFH swap, which is less than 2% of the cap but still a very enticing amount to use when trying to attract/keep a new player.

End of next season sees some coin freed up with Niukore off contract and unlikely to be extended? Capewell too potentially? Berry if he keeps getting injured would be unlikely to be extended? Both of CHT and TMM, or one of them could be gone? RTS likely gone will free up more and possibly Boyd, Lussick and Tuaupiki gone?

 

[Bevosa]

Ponga has become arrogant. The way he has been playing and acting off the pitch, he needs to look in the mirror. He was shit this season. The toilet saga he didn't take ownership for, his weird dad contract signing, his attitude in the media and press conferences.. He's been put on a pedestal at Newcastle and he's too comfortable. He looked checked out, and he's on the biggest contract in the NRL. I think he needs a change, and doesn't look like a natural leader of a team. He's clearly playing for the money ATM, otherwise he would have moved on from the Knights already. But no one who is a half decent team will match his contract, so he's still there.

R360 incoming IMO.

Agree completely with this, but who were the leaders in that Newcastle side? Who could have pulled Ponga's head in? Not one player there would have had that ability, and the coach had lost the locker room before the season started. We have the best leaders in the game — Fish, Barney, RTS — and a coach who has the complete backing of his players. If any side can get the best out of Ponga, it’s us. I couldn’t think of a better fit for him.